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By: Laura Madariaga
Some people choose to believe that reverse racism is an existing issue within our society. That those who are directly affected by racism, in their everyday lives, can swiftly switch from being the oppressed to the oppressor. Further, these individuals believe that those who are considered oppressed go on to oppress those who do not have to consider how their skin color may affect them. However, the belief that reverse racism exists fails to recognize the pre-established power dynamic between the individuals involved, additionally believing that there is an equal level playing field for all people.
It is important to recognize that historically racism goes far beyond the plain definition “of one group or individual feeling superior unto another group or individual.” Racism has been intricately woven into many systems, from the very beginning, and is something which continues to be upheld by many institutions and society. Such systems have been kept to continue the oppression of BIPOC, keeping them at a continuous disadvantage in the self-proclaimed “equal level playing field”. The systems which continue to benefit white people have led BIPOC to experience: police brutality, medical racism, redlining, microaggressions, at higher rates than white people.
To say that reverse racism exists is to say that racial prejudices (NOT racism), which people of color may hold against white people, are as damaging as the discrimination that POC face on a day-to-day basis from institutions/society. Those comments which point out the movements white people make when dancing or that labeling actions of white women as being a “Karen”, are not the equivalent to the oppression that BIPOC have faced and continue to face.
For those who believe in reverse racism it may be easy to confuse the racial prejudices that people of color may hold with racism. But it does not excuse the confusion or justify the belief in the idea of reverse racism. The “hurt” which is felt after experiencing racial prejudice is simply that. It does not mean that one is now oppressed. It is vital to comprehend that “while expressions of racial prejudice directed at white people may hurt the white person/people individually or personally, and are never to be condoned, they do not have the power or authority to affect the white person's social/economic/political location and privileges.”
The power and benefits which white people hold from the established institutions, is not extended to BIPOC when they may hold racial prejudices. The reverse racism belief is a myth.
Sources:
https://www.aclrc.com/myth-of-reverse-racism
https://momentum.medium.com/why-reverse-racism-is-a-myth-c2374b8837af